RENNIE EXPRESSES SHOCK AT MASSIVE LOSS OF CHILD BENEFIT RECIPIENTS DETAILS

5.13.45pm GMT Thu 22nd Nov 2007

Local MP Willie Rennie has reacted with shock to the announcement that details of 25 million child benefit recipients have been lost after they were sent by the Child Benefits Agency to the National Audit Office by unrecorded delivery.

Commenting immediately after the Chancellor's statement to MPs on the loss, Mr Rennie said:

"The loss of this highly sensitive data is an appalling development which will shock people and undermine confidence in both the child benefit system and in the Government.

"The Chancellor's statement will do little to reassure the thousands of people in Dunfermline and West Fife who are likely to be affected by this news. How can anybody be sure that it will not happen again?

"I will take up the case of any of my constituents who have concerns about the security of their bank accounts and press the Government for further information as soon as the Metropolitan Police have completed their inquiries."